Summer Beyond the Frontier

5 Love and Trouble

The silence amidst them was deafening. Their heartbeats also in conjunction with the swishing breeze that gently fanned their faces.

They had left the eastern courtyard to a more 'seen' courtyard which was north of the farmer's yard where farmers keep some of their stuff. It was more enclosed like a bookstore but with farm produce in the inner rooms.

They sat among the pile of sacks that held Hays, wheat and oats with two tables, each with three chairs at the centre of the room. It was more like a warehouse except the warehouse was farther away from town, within Lord Westward's quarters where it was been guarded well by well-trained soldiers.

The fresh breeze from outside contrasted with the dusty breeze inside the farmer's yard. It smelled like dried grass and figs or fresh grass and sand.

Abigail's eyes swiftly darted to Jugan who had his head turned away from her. However, his face held arrogance of unspoken words but his mind was lost in thoughts about what Abigail's next words were going to be.

The silence seems so sharp than a warrior's blade and too loud, almost piercing through their eardrums. It weighed heavily on Lucian's mind and she also anticipated Abigail's next words.

"Tell me. You said love, Jugan. Were you referring to the apples or Lucian?"

Lucian seemed more devastated than any of them as she shut her eyes and let out a deep sharp breath almost like she had forgotten to breathe.

"Do I need to explain myself to you now?" Jugan's voice cut across to her as an insult and she swiftly got up from her seat, feeling agitated.

"I think...erm...I think I should leave," Gordon, who had been feeling uneasy quickly said as he got up to leave.

"And who are you?"

Abigail's look seemed to soften, it was all shifting back to her so she sat back in her seat.

"This is Gordon. He's my...my..."

"Old-time friend." Gordon quickly chipped in.

"Oh. Never knew my sister had an..." Jugan scrolled his eyes from his head to his toes before finally settling his eyes on his face. "An interesting-looking man as a friend." his sarcasm almost caused Abigail to puke.

Gordon smiled shyly before giving a little nod and then walking out of the room.

Abigail looked at Gordon's retreating figure and immediately knew she would want to see him again.

She looked back at Jugan with a frown before getting back up with her hands resting on her waist. "Now, tell me. What was that about?" this time, she directed her question at Lucian and when Jugan was going to speak, she raised her hand to stop him.

"I was..." Lucian swallowed hard before she continued. "I was at the courtyard to get herbs for your tonic."

"You could have gotten them from the main field. The farmers there fancy you."

"The court physician specifically mentioned the eastern courtyard," Jugan intently stared from Lucian to Abigail, trying to know if Abigail believed her.

Abigail was quiet for a short while before looking over at Jugan "And you?" she said in a monotone that seemed to irk Jugan.

Jugan looked away from Abigail before rubbing his beard and then speaking. "I was acting,"

Abigail paused in disbelief. Out of everything she expected to hear, that was the least of it and even Lucian seems to be in doubt.

"What?" Abigail asked with a creased face. "That's ridiculous!"